High Blood Sugar Levels and Cancer

Quick and easy processed foods may seem a convenient; however health problems may occur when high calorie processed sugars in fast foods spike blood sugar levels. Sugars in combination with fats and salt are a highly prized flavor that people crave and seem never to get enough of.

Why?
Processed simple sugars like corn syrups, fructose or white sugars, white flour do not have the fats, fiber or nutrients to spark our metabolism to feel full. Our blood sugar spikes when we eat these high energy sweet foods like sugary drinks, snack foods and processed foods. Though there are calories in these foods they lack nutritional substance. When our blood sugar drops again we are back looking for the nourishment we never received. So we take one more sugary mouthful hoping to feel satisfied.

A recent study completed at Umeå University in Sweden researched how 500,000 men and women’s blood sugar levels related to developing cancer. They found that people with high blood sugar levels were at a higher risk of getting certain cancers. Women seemed more vulnerable to developing cancer than men with high blood sugar levels.

The Metabolic Syndrome and Cancer Study states: “The researchers found that, overall, the higher the level of blood glucose, the higher the risk of getting and dying from cancer. Average normal blood glucose levels are about 5 mmol/l, also expressed as 5 mM or 90 mg/dl. For each additional 1 mmol/l increase in blood glucose level, the risk of getting cancer was increased by 5% for men and 11% for women.”
http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.1000201

The Sweden study is not the first to recognize high blood sugar levels are associated with cancer risks. Many other studies have been previously done and found correlations between weight, sugar levels and cancer. Dr Nicholas Perricone, MD and author of Sugar Shock noted that “A growing number of scientists are citing a high sugar intake as a factor in the development of cancers of the breast, gallbladder, prostate, colon, uterus, and pancreas. In fact, researchers suspect that high sugar and insulin levels encourage tumor growth.”

The message here is easy to remember; eat foods as naturally as possible like whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, nuts and seeds, sea vegetables. Encourage a healthy internal terrain that can resist cancer. Eat well, choose health.





Split Mung Dahl

Dahl is a Sanskrit term referring to pulses which nave been stripped of their outer hulls and split. It also is the name of this nutritious comforting stew. The spices and herbs are excellent carminative and digestive aides as well as anti inflammatory.

Serves 9

1 Tablespoons Coconut oil or ghee
1 large Onion, minced
7 cloves Garlic, minced
1 Jalapeño chilies, minced
1 ½ inches Fresh ginger, minced
2 tsp Turmeric powder

1 ¾ cups Split, washed mung beans or yellow lentils
1 cup Organic tomatoes diced or 1 large can diced organic tomatoes
2 medium Zucchini, chopped
7½ cups Broth or water

2 tsp Coconut oil
2 tsp Black mustard seeds
2 tsp Cumin seed
2 tsp Coriander seed
½ bunch Cilantro, chopped


Heat the coconut oil in large heavy-bottom pot. Add onions and sauté for 15 to 20 minutes until caramelized and paste-like (this is important as it create a nice sauce).
Add garlic, ginger, chili, and turmeric. Continue to cook for 10 minutes.

Rinse beans and add to mixture. Add zucchini and cook another 5 minutes.
Add water and tomatoes, simmer for about 1 hour, until beans are soft but still hold their shape.

Heal oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet. Add spices and cook until hot and popping- do not burn.
Add to the soup at the end.

Garnish with cilantro.